73rd Bike Week offers events, racing and warm weather

Monday

Mar 31, 2014 at 2:00 AMMar 31, 2014 at 9:29 AM

Anyone who has frequented Daytona Bike Week over the years can certainly attest to the fact that with each year the event seems to be changing: the types of bikes, the culture of the crowd and the entertainment. But they keep coming back despite the changes, and the 73rd annual Daytona Bike Week did not seem to disappoint those who came.

Donna Kessler

Anyone who has frequented Daytona Bike Week over the years can certainly attest to the fact that with each year the event seems to be changing: the types of bikes, the culture of the crowd and the entertainment. But they keep coming back despite the changes, and the 73rd annual Daytona Bike Week did not seem to disappoint those who came.

The warmer weather brought many northerners to Bike Week. There were many license plates from Canada, New York and New Jersey. Daytona (Fla.) Regional Chamber of Commerce put the attendance number around 500,000, while others estimated 200,000. Whatever the case may be, Main Street was packed and so were the venues. Vendors also reported that those who came were spending.

It was a fairly quiet 10-day event with only a handful of arrests, three bikes reported stolen and, sadly, three motorcyclists died.

Honda, Yamaha, Star, Victory and more set up huge tents and offered demo rides on their latest models, and the bikers who attended the 73rd annual Daytona Bike Week took full advantage of the opportunity.

The demo rides seemed to be the most popular at the Daytona International Speedway this year. It's the perfect time to test the bike you have always been wondering about.

One of the most impressive were the Victory bikes. They have really redesigned and customized their models. With the custom baggers being the most popular among bikers these days, they had to do something to keep up with the competition. They have succeeded by even offering custom parts to accessorize their bikes.

The speedway is where you can see the latest technology or the newest accessory or get those LED lights installed. At the speedway it's all about the up-and-coming, but it's also about what the older companies are doing to impress. V8 Cycles always draw the biggest crowd. Their bikes literally house a V-8 motor and they are all automatic. They come in the chopper model or the trike. They are a well-balanced machine for their size and there is minimal shake and they are certainly all power.

Riverside Park did not have as many vendors as usual but they did have a number of tents displaying custom baggers for the Chopped Baggers Bike Show. Beach Street along Riverside Park was lined with bikes.

You never know what you are going to come across at these two places. In fact, Eddie Trotta was spotted riding one of his custom baggers on the speedway grounds.

Bikers come to Daytona Bike Week to ride, party and for the most part get away from the cold weather. So Daytona Bike Week offers a large number of events and they take place all around the area. But bikers also love entertainment and places like Main Street Station, Iron Horse Saloon, No Name Saloon, the Bank, Destination Daytona and Boot Hill deliver.

Big names such as David Allen Coe, Saliva, Great White and Drowning Pool were some of the top names that came to entertain bikers. But there are also the up-and-coming bands that actually make bikers dance.

The Razorbacks with their rockabilly beat performed before a packed house at the Bank. They played there every night. Rocker Jasmine Cain had a full card at the Iron Horse. Just a few years ago she was just on the afternoon schedule. Now with two albums under her belt and a song that was heard on the "Sons of Anarchy" show, Jasmine and her band were the headliners. And for an even more entertaining aspect, at the end of her show Jasmine climbs to the top of the speakers and jumps down into the waiting arms of some very strong bikers.

At Main Street Station, the Living Deads treated visitors to a rockabilly sound but also a unique look. Lots of cameras and phones were video recording and shooting pics. With her wild makeup and colored hair, Symphony Tidwell played a mean upright bass and certainly drew attention.

Bike Week would not be Bike Week without the music. Whether you like country, rock, blues or heavy metal, you can find a band that plays it. If you go, be sure to pick up a biker pocket guide and find out where the next great band will be. Listen to some samples of the bands that performed at Bike Week by visiting recordonline.com/myride.

Bike Week was formed when the beach racers of the day began to draw crowds to their races. People would come not only to watch the race but also to partake in the festivities. Over the years, it has blossomed into what it is today.

Let's face it, Bike Week would not be Bike Week without the races. The week began with the annual Daytona 200, a race that began in 1937 on the beach. The AMA-sanctioned All-Star National Flat Track Series and the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross took place on the infield of the speedway.

Danny Eslick gave Triumph its first win in the 200 in 47 years while Ryan Villopoto won his fourth Daytona Supercross. Kenny Coolbeth placed in the first place spot on the podium in flat track.

The races are really exciting to watch. There is not only the main races at the track, but also several others take place in the surrounding area.

Then there are the bike shows

Daytona Bike Week is one of the most popular biker events around. There's nothing like the roar of thousands of bikes, being among folks who share the same passion as you and can appreciate seeing some of the most unique and technologically challenged bike builds around.

There are three popular bike shows that should not be missed, Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Show, the Rat Hole Custom Bike Show and the annual Boardwalk Custom Bike Show.

Willie's show brings the best of the home builts. This show takes place at Willie's Tropical Tattoo Parlor on Route 1. This show has become so popular and so big it's hard to view the bikes. But make sure you do what you can to get a glimpse of these machines. From Rat Rod bikes to old school choppers, Willie's has it all. Even Dave Perewitz stopped by to check out folks' latest creations.

You can find the most unusual and the most artistic bikes at both the Boardwalk Show and the Rat Hole Show. These bikes are blinding as the Daytona sun reflects off the shiny chrome and metallic paint that make up most of these bikes.